U.S. patent number 4,595,500 [Application Number 06/630,212] was granted by the patent office on 1986-06-17 for filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable water.
Invention is credited to Mauro Galbiati.
United States Patent |
4,595,500 |
Galbiati |
June 17, 1986 |
Filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable water
Abstract
A filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable water is
described, which comprises a body (1) for association with a water
inlet and defining an inlet end (2) in communication with a
purifying filter including sequentially a bacteria hold-back
membrane (23) and an active carbon zone (31), and deflector means
(40-74) which may be positioned in a first position, where the
inlet end (2) is in communication with a direct water dispensing
conduit (41-71) by bypassing the purifying filter, and in a second
position, where the communication between the inlet end (2) and the
direct water dispensing conduit is cut off and where the dispensing
through a purified water conduit (42-71) is allowed.
Inventors: |
Galbiati; Mauro (Milan,
IT) |
Family
ID: |
26327263 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/630,212 |
Filed: |
July 12, 1984 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
|
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Jul 28, 1983 [IT] |
|
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22535/83[U] |
Feb 17, 1984 [IT] |
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19693 A/84 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
210/266; 210/288;
210/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D
35/043 (20130101); C02F 1/283 (20130101); C02F
1/003 (20130101); C02F 2201/006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B01D
35/00 (20060101); B01D 35/04 (20060101); C02F
1/00 (20060101); C02F 1/28 (20060101); B01D
025/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;210/266,282,288,424,493.1,493.5,436,472,321,1,420-423 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cintins; Ivars
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bucknam and Archer
Claims
I claim:
1. A filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable water, which
comprises a water inlet, a first body (1) adapted for association
with said water inlet and defining an inlet end (2) in
communication with a purifying filter having, sequentially
arranged, a bacteria hold-back membrane (23), an active carbon zone
(31), and a diverting means (40, 74) in proximity of said inlet end
(2) and in proximity of said first body (1), said diverting means
being positionable in a first position, where said inlet end (2) is
in communication with a direct water dispensing conduit (41, 71)
and the water bypasses said purifying filter, and in a second
position where communication between said inlet end (2) and said
direct water dispensing conduit (41, 71) is cut off, and dispensing
through a purified water conduit (42, 71) is allowed wherein said
filter comprises means for selectively arranging said diverting
means in said first or second position, said purifying filter has
one modular segment (12) which contains active carbon (31) and
wherein said segment (12) containing active carbon (31) is closed,
at least at its outlet end by a felt filtering disk (32), said
filter comprises a grid (33) externally of said filtering disk
(32), said disk (32) pressing against said grid, and an outlet
chamber (35) is defined between said filter body and sail purifying
filter, said outlet chamber being selectively in communication with
said purified water conduit.
2. A filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable water, which
comprises a water inlet, a first body (1) adapted for association
with said water inlet and defining an inlet end (2) in
communication with a purifying filter having, sequentially
arranged, a bacteria hold-back membrane (23), an active carbon zone
(31), and a diverting means (40, 74) in proximity of said inlet end
(2) and in proximity of said first body (1), said diverting means
being positionable in a first position, where said inlet end (2) is
in communication with a direct water dispensing conduit (41, 71)
and the water bypasses said purifying filter, and in a second
position where communication between said inlet end (2) and said
direct water dispensing conduit (41, 71) is cut off, and dispensing
through a purified water conduit (42, 71) is allowed wherein said
filter comprises means for selectively arranging said diverting
means in said first or second position, said diverting means are
formed by a second body (40) fitted sealingly and rotatable to the
filter body, said second body having on its surface facing the
first filter body, a port (43) for the direct water dispensing
conduit (41) and a second port (45) for the purified water conduit
(42), said port (43) for the direct water dispensing conduit (41)
being positionable in communication with said inlet end (2), said
purified water dispensing port (45) being positionable in
communication with said purifying filter.
3. A filter according to claim 2, wherein said purifying filter
comprises modular segments (11, 12) removably associable
therebetween and having one said bacteria hold-back membrane (23),
and at least one active carbon zone.
4. A filter according to claim 3 wherein said modular segments
comprise an end segment (11), said axial conduit (15) opens at said
end segment (11) carrying said bacteria hold-back membrane (23),
said membrane being pleated, said end segment having a front flange
(21) for connection with said axial conduit and a rear flange (22),
said front flange and rear flange supporting said membrane (23)
therebetween for holding back bacteria and arranged in a
cylindrical configuration, and said filter comprises a net (24)
arranged externally of said membrane.
5. A filter according to claim 4 which comprises axially within
said pleated membrane (23) a fine mesh filter (25) surrounded by an
outer cloth (26) wrapped in a containment net (27).
6. A filter according to claim 2 wherein said purifying filter has
a plurality of modular segments (11, 12), a fitting (10) in
communication with said inlet end, an axial conduit (15) is formed
by sealing engaging together conduit portions defined in said
modular segments, said conduit being in communication with said
fitting (10).
7. A filter according to claim 6 wherein said axial conduit (15)
has a perforated diaphragm (16) adapted to generate a localized
pressure drop.
8. A filter according to claim 2 which comprises means for
positioning said diverting body (40) into said first and second
position, said means comprising small pegs (50) provided
diametrically on the first body and adapted to engage by contact
with detent (51) defined on said second body (40).
9. A filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable water, which
comprises a water inlet, a first body (1) adapted for association
with said water inlet and defining an inlet end (2) in
communication with a purifying filter having, sequentially
arranged, a bacteria hold-back membrane (23), an active carbon zone
(31), and a diverting means (40, 74) in proximity of said inlet end
(2) and in proximity of said first body (1), said diverting means
being positionable in a first position, where said inlet end (2) is
in communication with a direct water dispensing conduit (41, 71)
and the water bypasses said purifying filter, and in a second
position where communication between said inlet end (2) and said
direct water dispensing conduit (41, 71) is cut off, and dispensing
through a purified water conduit (42, 71) is allowed wherein said
filter comprises means for selectively arranging said diverting
means in said first or second position and wherein said diverting
means comprise a water delivery chamber (71) separated from said
inlet end by a diaphragm (72), the diaphragm having an orifice (73)
and shutter means for closing and opening said orifice.
10. The filter according to claim 9 wherein said shutter means
comprise a stem (75) passing through said orifice (73) and
providing with an enlarged head (76), and second means,
controllable externally of said first body (1), to displace axially
said stem (75) from a position where said enlarged head (76) closes
said orifice (73) to a position where said enlarged head (76)
disengages from said orifice (73).
11. The filter according to claim 10, wherein said second means
comprise a shaft (77) mounted diametrically in said water delivery
chamber (71), and a lever (78) mounted on said shaft, said shaft
(77), said stem having an opening (80), said shaft having a central
portion, a recess (79), and a screw engageable with said recess
whereby rotation of the shaft provides for axial translation of
said stem to cover or uncover said orifice (73).
Description
This invention relates to a filter for purifying drinkable and
non-drinkable water.
As it is known, filters have been available on the market for
purifying drinkable water, which, in practice, restrict their
action to dechlorinating water. Such filters comprise a cartridge
containing active carbon, through which the stream of water from a
faucet is flown.
According to some known methods, the entire volume of the water
flowing out of the faucet is caused to pass through the filtering
body, so that a short residence time on the carbons is provided,
and the carbon is rapidly consumed, thus requiring frequent
replacement.
Other known methods provide for the utilization of a filter having
a diverter adapted to dispense the water without passing it through
the carbon whenever non-purified water is demanded, or to pass it
through the carbon, where water is to be purified. Usually, the
filtering body is provided with a dispensing end spatially
separated form the purified water dispensing end.
The latter filter type generally has a complex construction, and
does not allow the size of the filtering body to be changed to meet
contingent requirements, so that in the presence of a chlorine rich
water, purification is definitely unsatisfactory.
Still another disadvantage of the above-mentioned filters is that
such filters are unable to remove any bacteria present in the
water, while the bacteria, in many cases, may contaminate the
active carbon as well.
A further problem encountered with prior filtering cartridges is
that, if air bubbles form within the filtering body due to a
prolonged period of non-use, or other causes, it is with great
difficulty that the bubbles can be removed and a proper flow of the
water being dispensed can be achieved.
This invention is, in fact, directed to obviate such prior
shortcomings by providing a filter for purifying drinkable water,
which in addition to removing any chlorine present therein, can
form a barrier for complete removal of bacteria from the water,
thus performing a thorough purification of the water.
It is a particular object of the invention to provide a filter
which allows water to be selectively conveyed through the filter
assembly, while having the two dispensing outlets of purified and
non purified water at all times flowing into one and the same
location.
Another object of this invention is to provide a filter structure
for purifying drinkable water, which is simplified
construction-wise and affords an active carbon filtering zone which
may be sized as desired to meet contingent requirements, while
being always assured of complete purification of the water even in
the least favorable of conditions.
A further object of the invention is to provide a filter, which on
account of its peculiar construction, can be assembled in a quick
and simplified manner to any faucet types, as well as any water
inlet, and give full assurance of being safe and reliable to
use.
The above object, as well as these and other objects such as will
be apparent hereinafter, are fulfilled and are achieved,
respectively, by a filter for purifying drinkable and non-drinkable
water, according to the invention, characterized in that it
comprises a body adapted for association with a water inlet and
defining an inlet end in communication with a purifying filter
having, sequentially arranged, a bacteria hold-back membrane and an
active carbon zone, and with diverting means being positionable at
a first position, where said inlet end is in communication with
said direct water dispensing conduit by bypassing said purifying
filter, and at a second position, where the communication between
inlet end and said purified water dispensing conduit is cut off and
where the dispensing through a purified water conduit is
allowed.
Further features and advantages will be more clearly apparent from
the following detailed description of a filter structure for
purifying drinkable water, as illustrated by way of example and not
of limitation in the accompanying drawings, where:
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a filter according
to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the filter showing the flow path for the
delivery of purified water;
FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line III--III of FIG. 2, showing
venting means for exhausting any air bubbles;
FIG. 4 is a sectional, partly exploded, view of the filter;
FIG. 5 shows the head of the filter body;
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the diverter body;
FIG. 7 shows the filter in cross-section, as positioned for
delivery of purified water;
FIG. 8 shows the filter in corss-section, as positioned for direct
delivery of water, bypassing the filter body;
FIG. 9 shows the bacteria hold-back membrane in exploded
perspective view;
FIG. 10 schematically shows in perspective view the filter
structure in open position, according to an alternative embodiments
of the deflector means;
FIG. 11 is a central section of the structure of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 shows the attachment member of the cartridge constituting
the purifying filter according to the embodiment of FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 shows in exploded perspective view the shutter means
controlling the water inlet flow and the outlet chamber, always
according to the embodiment of FIG. 10;
FIGS. 14 and 15 show, in cross-section, the shutter means of FIG.
10 in the two different operative positions;
FIG. 16 illustrates a simplified embodiment of the filter, for
application to water pick up by suction.
Making reference to the figures filter for purifying drinkable and
non-drinkable water comprises a body, which is generally designated
with the reference numeral 1, which defines an inlet end 2 formed
with an outer thread 3 for connection to swivel unions 4 or the
like elements which allow the inlet end 2 to be connected to a
water inlet.
The inlet end is in communication, through a fitting 10, with a
purifying filter, which advantageously comprises mutually
assemblable segments comprising an end segment 11 having a bacteria
holdback membrane and one or more intermediate segments 12 forming
an active carbon water passage zone
In detail, the filter body ha an axial conduit 15 which extends
through all the segments and is in communication with the inlet
fitting 10 for admitting into the purifying filter water entering
the inlet end 2.
The axial conduit 15 may be provided with perforated diaphragms
thereon, as indicated at 16, which serve the function of creating a
pressure drop to retard the water flow through the filter.
The channel 15, which is defined by the individual portions in
mutual sealed relationship formed in the various segments, is
terminated at the end segment 11 which contains a front flange 21
to which the axial conduit 15 is connected and is bored axially,
and a bottom flange 22 which holds, in cooperation with the front
flange 21, a pleated membrane 23 in a substantially cylindrical
arrangement, which has the function of preventing bacteria from
passing through.
Tests carried out have shown that the membrane 23 can prevent the
passage of bacteria of larger size than 0.45 microns.
Provided externally to the membrane 23 is a containment net 24
which prevents the membrane from being deformed by excess
pressure.
Advantageously, in the interior of membrane, there is provided a
fine mesh filter 25 which is wrapped in an outer cloth layer 26
which, additionally to acting as a further filtering element, also
creates a significant pressure drop.
Also provided in a containment net 27 which surrounds the cloth
layer 26 and encloses the element such as to prevent the membrane
23, in the event of sharp pressure variations, from being
damaged.
The water flowing from the axial conduit 15 is obliged to pass
through the membrane 23 in a radial direction and to flow into the
end segment 11, from which it flows out past a drilled disk 30
which admits the water into the segment 12 which is filled with
active carbon, generally indicated at 31.
The active carbon segment is closed at its end by a filtering disk
32 which has the function of further reducing the pressure level
and preventing the active carbon from exiting the cartridge.
The felt filtering disk 32 is held pressed against a grid 33
positioned to close the purifying filter and being adapted to
define an outlet chamber 35 wherein in practice the purified water
through the filter is collected.
With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the inlet end 2 is in communication
with a diverter body 40, as well as with the filtering body as
outlined hereinabove, which is rotatably associated with the filter
body and defines on its interior a direct water dispensing conduit
41 and purified water dispensing conduit 42.
More detailedly, the cited diverter body 40 has on its face next to
the filter body 1 an inlet port 43 adapted for union with an inlet
portion 44 in communication with the inlet end 2; also provided are
ring seals to prevent water from leaking out.
As mentioned, the diverter body 40 also includes a purified water
conduit 42, which also opens at the face adjacent the filter
through a purified water inlet port, indicated at 45, which may be
brought into alignment with a purified water discharge conduit 46
in communication with the purified water collecting chamber.
The conduits 41 and 42 have discharge ports to the diverter body
which are located diametrically to each other.
The diverter body 40 may be positioned in to a first position where
the inlet portion 44 is aligned to the port 43 and water entering
the inlet let end 2, where a filtering body may be optionally
provided, is passed directly into the water direct delivery conduit
and out, practically bypassing the filtering body.
When purified water is to be dispensed, the diverted body is
turned, as shown in FIG. 7. so that the the inlet portions 44 will
be closed and the water admitted into the inlet end 2 obliged to
flow through the filter body and undergo purification through the
segments 11 and 12 of the filter body.
The purified water flows out of the conduit 46, which is aligned to
the purified water discharge port 45, and is dispensed to the
outside.
In order to achieve an accurate positioning of the diverter body 40
with respect to the filter body, such as to selectively communicate
the direct delivery conduit to the inlet end 2, or the purified
water conduit to the conduit 46, position detents are provided
which comprise small pegs 50 located at two diametrical locations
on the filter body and being adapted to engage a detent 51 defined
on the diverter body 40 by contact, thus providing two positions of
utilization.
The operation of the filter for purifying water according to the
invention is quite simple. In fact, when the user does not require
purified water, it will be sufficient for him/her to so turn the
diverter body as to place the water direct delively conduit 41 in
communication with the inlet portion 44, thus affording an easier
path for the water to flow out and bypass the filter.
When the user wishes instead to dispense purified water, he/she
will turn off the diverter body 40 so that the inlet portion 44 is
brought out of communication with the fitting, and the purified
water delivery conduit 42 is placed in communication with the
conduit 46 from the purified water collecting chamber.
In these conditions, the water admitted into the inlet end 2 is
obliged to flow through the axial conduit 15 and whence into the
segment 11 after going through a fine mesh filter, cloth, and
containment net, then flows through the bacteria barrier membrane
23 which will hold back all the bacteria in suspension thus
avoiding contamination of the active carbon zone.
After passing through the membrane 23, the water flows through the
active carbons 31 with a very slow motion, that is, one effective
to promote an intimate contact between the water and active carbons
resulting in thorough purification of the water. As mentioned
above, with waters containing high clorine contents, the number of
active carbon cartridges may be increased.
Furthermore, the provision of a modular cartridge affords for the
user the advantage of only replacing the worn cartridge portion,
which generally comprises the active carbon portion, liable to be
spent at a definitely higher rate than the segment carrying the
antibacteria membrane.
The water, on leaving the active carbon zone, enters the outlet
chamber 35, and then, through the conduit 46, flows into the
purified water delivery conduit 42, from where it is dispensed
out.
It should be further added that when air bubbles form within the
filter, such as would hinder a proper flow of the water
therethrough, a vent conduit 60 is provided which opens at the
fitting portion 10 and extends outwards where a small vent valve is
provided as indicated at 61.
When air bubbles are present inside, it will be sufficient for the
user, after connecting to the water inlet, to hold the venting
valve 61 depressed until a few water drops flow out to thus make
sure that the air bubbles have been removed from the inside and
that the filtering cartridge can be properly used.
In FIGS. 10-15 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the
deflector means of the waterflow.
In these figures the same reference numerals have been used to
denote the previously described parts.
With reference to these FIGS. the body 1, in addition to the water
inlet end or chamber 2, is provided also with a water delivery
chamber 71, separated from the chamber 2 by a diaphragm 72.
The diaphragm 72 is provided with a hole 73 which is controlled by
shutter means, generally denoted with 74, constituted by a stem 75
passing through the hole 73 and provided with an enlarged head 76
which practically acts as a sealing member for the hole 73.
The stem 75 is axially displaceable so that to be positioned in a
first position, whereby the hole 73 is closed, and in a second
position, whereby said stem allows the direct passage of water
between the chamber 2 and the chamber 71.
The stem is operated by means of a small shaft 77 diametrically
supported in the chamber 71 and extending sealingly outwardly from
the body 1 whereat a lever 78 is provided for its operation.
The shaft 77, at a middle position thereof, has a tapering part 79
which is substantially offset with respect to rotation axis of the
stem 77 and which engages with an opening 80 defined in the stem 75
and provided with a set screw 81 which engages with the tapering
portion 79, so that rotation of the shaft 77 results, owing to the
offsetting of the tapering portion 79, in an axial translation of
the stem 75 and accordingly in the passage port 73 being uncovered
or covered.
The operation of the filter is substantially similar to the one
already described with reference to FIGS. 1-8.
In fact, in the instance where the user wants filtered water, it
will be sufficient for him/her to turn the lever 78 so that the
shutter means leaves the passage free through the hole 73
(Fig.15).
In such conditions, the water admitted into the chamber 2 is fully
passed directly into the delivery chamber 71 without affecting the
filtering group, because of its very high hydraulic resistance.
Where the user wants instead purified water to be delivered, he/she
operated the lever 78 such that the enlarged head 76 covers the
port 73 (FIG. 10), thereby the water is obliged to flow into the
filtering gorup to flow, when the depuration has been achieved,
into said chamber 35 and then into the delivery chamber 71 through
the passage 46.
In this instance also, for the correct positioning of the lever 78,
there are provided position detents comprising small pegs 82
against which said lever abuts.
As shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to provide a drinkable water
purifying filter operating on a suction principle; in this case,
the filter cartridge would be made without the movable diverter
body, because all of the oncoming water would be previously
purified. It is also contemplated that the delivery conduit may
include a pumping element, indicated at 70, to promote suction and
contribute to overcome all the pressure losses and drops which
originate from within the filter body.
It may be appreciated from the foregoin description that the
invention achieves its objects, and in particular, that the
provision of a filtering membrane for holding back bacteria affords
delivery of bacteriologically pure water and prevention of the
active carbon contamination, while by passing the water to be
purified first through the membrane and then through the active
carbon, the carbon powder is prevented from rapidly clogging the
membrane pores.
Another aspect of the invention is that the construction of the
drinkable water purifying filter according to the invention is
greatly simplified, and hence of relatively lower manufacturing
cost. The invention as disclosed is susceptible to many
modifications and variations without departing from the scope of
the instant inventive idea.
Furthermore, all of the details may be replaced with other,
technically equivalent elements.
In practicing the invention, the materials used, if compatible with
the intended application, and the dimensions and contingent shapes,
may be any selected ones to meet individual requirements.
* * * * *